A/T Transmission cooler install for 2.7 - 4 cyl.

Thinking summer.....I want to install a A/T cooler on my 4 cyl. My truck is a base, thus does not have the factory trans cooler...I don't want to do a 'cut & hack' on the lines....First question: Are the lines from the transmission to the radiator, different from a non cooler equipped truck, to a truck that has the factory cooler?...Also what is the best way to install a permanent transmission temperature gauge....Don't really want to use the OBD port for a scanner....I will be using the truck driving on soft sandy beach.....

 

I can't answer your specific question, but I can direct you to a thread that may help. Also @gearcruncher, who is the resident authority should be able to answer your question.

Here's the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

On the 4 cylinder trucks there is enough cooler line equipped with the kits to connect an aftermarket cooler to your factory set up if you purchase from True cool .
As far as a scanner or transmission temp reader , most members at Tacoma World connect to the ALDL and run a scan gauge .
There is a mechanical gauge install procedure in that link above as well

 

I read the entire thread that was linked...I'm ole skool, & getting on board with the scan gauge...I'm still a little cloudy where the lines are are cut to install the cooler...With the small factory cooler, the connections are all in front of the radiator without the factory cooler the lines would go from the transmission to the radiator...Still not crazy about cut & splice using screw type clamps....

 

I have been using those gear clamps for over 30 years with every cooler I have installed . They work very well . You could add 2 gear clamps to each cooling line where the lines connect rather than a single gear clamp but you would have to purchase extra like I do .

The gear clamps that come in the kit actually hold better than the factory clamps you have on your truck rite now . You should have 4 factory clamps holding your rubber hosing on your transmission cooling lines . The rubber lines are there to compensate for the engine twisting . At least the 2 hoses were there the last time I did a cooler install on a Tacoma without an aftercooler .

For connecting an aftercooler to a truck that doesnt have a cooler ,
You want to connect the hosing from the discharge end of your radiator , then to the aftercooler feed line .
Then from the discharge of the aftercooler to the return cooling line .
Before you jump in , it would be a good idea to find your cold transmission cooling line . That's the line that returns to the transmission pan .
The other line is converter discharge or your hot transmission line going to the cooler .

Remember , this is not a vehicle Steve McQueen would ever consider driving . Not fast enough .
Back in those days , Mustangs had solid cooling lines going to the radiator with the C6 automatic

 

yeah..I get the hose clamps & rubber hose...seems archaic considering the advancements of 'plug & play' for most mods...

 

I'm ole skool too. About 4 months shy of 66. Have to admire you for reading the whole thread. I have done the same before venturing into a mod, be it any of my vehicles or motorcycles. I watch any and all the youtube videos on the project, weed out out the good from the bad and take notes before proceeding with the task. I use the app "Torque" with my OBDII to monitor my tranny (both pan & torque converter) when towing. The screw type clamps work just fine. Just check the connections after the inital install and retightnen if needed.

You'll be fine.

 

BlkDakDave...I just turned 70, & if that doesn't play havoc with your brain nothing does....I bought my 2014 access cab 4x4 brand new, it now has approx 4000 miles....Life changed & plans changed so it sits in the garage....I'm hoping I can get back on track this summer...I have a place in Chappaquiddick Island Mass. which is an island & beach access.... I have yet to take the Taco there, as I have an 88 Comanche 4x4 that I leave there...Point is, driving on soft sand with the tires deflated to 12 lbs puts extreme stress not only on the transmission, but the entire vehicle as well...but the transmission is the most critical. Knowing the trans temp. is the most important issue...Along with the cooler I'll have an aux. fan...I also saw on that thread of an aftermarket filter, which I also intend to install.....I once had a 2006 Matrix & sold it with just over 100k miles. Every 25k miles I would drain the trans oil pan & refill the 3 + qts of ATF...This cycled fresh (Toyota) fluid in the trans... I also will do this on the Tacoma...

 

Quite a bit of notoriety associated with Chappaquiddick. I can only imagine how great the summers must be, which is only a few months away. With only 4,000 miles your truck is still brand new. It's awesome that you have an open beach to drive on. I live about 5 miles from a barrier island where you can drive for hours and sometimes (especially this time of the year) you'll only see a few other vehicles. Over the last 5 years, since retirement and during the cooler months my exploring has been focused on the American Southwest. Because of that and reading some threads here on TW, I first added an aux fan that is controlled by a rocker switch. It also influenced my decision on upgrading the trans cooler. And like you, I read the entire thread (a couple of times) before pulling the trigger.

Seems like we have some things in common. My sons often tell me how I over think, over plan and over engineer any task at hand. So I know you'll be fine with the trans cooler install.

 

As time passes Chappy's notoriety passes..it will once again recover to the solitude it once was...However where the fame demises, the younger generation takes over...July & August there are sometimes traffic jambs on the access road to the beach... We worry about overheating transmissions...most out there don't even know what a transmission is. Something to ponder...The Rangers drive F-150's with the factory off road pgk..those trucks drive hundreds of miles each season on the beach, I'm sure the fluids are boiling, and yet I don't know of any failures..They also pull out stuck vehicles on the beach... but as the rule is..try it with your personal vehicle & you'll cook the transmission in the first week...lol....I have an 88 Comanche with a 4.0 A/T factory transmission cooler...used it quite a bit back in the day never had an issue, just had to watch the temp gauge, but I would trigger on the aux electric fan, in conjunction with the water pump mechanical fan on the engine....I truly doubt the Tacoma will out perform the Comanche.....

 

You could put in a factory trans cooler with factory parts so it will look stock and perform like stock. I bought the parts for my truck, but never got around to installing them since I'm not seeing high temps even when I tow my boat on short runs. Here's a pic showing the stock stuff installed.

 

OK - I'm a little confused? Your truck came from the factory without a cooler.....This pic, is this after you bought the parts from Toyota's parts dept, & did the installation?...One of my original questions was: are the lines from the transmission to either the radiator, or the factory cooler, the same with or with out the factory cooler? Thanks

 

No, that was a picture of a truck with the factory cooler, not my truck. The factory lines are rubber hoses that connect at the radiator. When you add the factory cooler, there is a short rubber hose that connects the cooler to the radiator and one of the factory lines gets rerouted to the cooler instead of into the radiator. Here's a diagram of the factory cooler and parts. There is a short hose that connects 8 to the radiator and I don't think you need 9.



Here's a picture of my truck showing the 2 rubber lines going into the radiator. I think the top line gets rerouted to the trans cooler to part 8.

 

OK - I was thinking they were hard lines connected to the radiator...so their rubber from the factory...I'm not inclined to use the factory cooler due to its small size..I need a large one with an electric fan....driving on soft sand heats up the transmission, almost immediately....Thanks for your info..I really appreciate it....

 

You may still want to look into parts 4, 5 and 8 as a way of getting the lines through the radiator support without the risk of a rubber line rubbing somewhere.

 

Will do..Thanks for all your help...Good luck on the sale of your truck...4x4 shorties are getting rarer & rarer each day.......

 

Allow me to share my personal trans cooler solution.
I'm using the Derale cooler. Fairly straightforward install but I used segments of metal tubing instead of all rubber hoses. I connected lines at the lower radiator cooler line. Just me going overboard...
Not sure if you can see it in the pic but I made an oversize grommet with hose and placed it in the radiator support to reduce the chance of chafing the lines and causing a leak.

 

Looks good

 

Thanks!

 

So you have the bottom radiator line going to the external cooler and then where does the return line from the external cooler go?